WTF! Steering wheel bigger splines on mk2's

I've had some saga's with my car involving head-gaskets, brakes and bodywork.. but this takes the biscuit.

I've gone to change the ignition barrel to get a nice fresh set of keys and while I'm at it swapping the steering wheel for a mint one which is smaller spline.

So I discover it's a larger (late 80's) splined collar so I tap it off with minimal damage thinking no bother as I'll be fitting the other steering wheel anyway. This is where it goes wrong as the diameters are slightly different for the circlip and well basically last night stuck with no car.

I thought about fitting the earlier type column but it is in two bits and would involve removing the steering box. It's not got splines at the steering rack end either.

So I eventually fit the ignition barrel and I wrestled with getting the original steering wheel back on. Discovered the column is telescopic and had shortened. This makes sense for safety reasons but I never thought of this at the time.

It's back together but there is still a 4mm gap between the wheel and the indicator switches?. I was hoping to fit something a bit more old school but I'm put off now.

Anyone had an easier experience with this? or am I missing something?

Edited 10 September, 200917 yr by MacColl